Despite Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales’ announcement that the team has no plans to trade former No. 1 pick Bryce Young, NFL insiders have shared that several teams have expressed serious interest in the quarterback. Rumors of a possible trade have been circulating among other franchise teams, fueling speculation about a potential change of plans for the Panthers. The consensus among many insiders is that a deal involving a sophomore quarterback may not be far off, possibly in the offseason.
Panthers Strategy: Keeping the Young in the Moment
Right now, the Panthers have no immediate intention of letting Young go. They see him as a backup to their newly assigned starter, Andy Dalton. Sources indicate that depending on how the rest of the season goes, the Panthers may consider bringing Young back. Despite his recent benching in favor of Dalton, and his lackluster performance that doesn’t reflect his No. 1 draft pick status. 1, Young is still thought to offer some trade value to the Panthers. However, this value will be significantly less than what the Panthers had originally invested in the trade to acquire him during the draft.
Historical Perspective: Past Trades of First-Round Quarterbacks
Reviewing previous trades for first-round quarterbacks, in 2019 the Cardinals traded their 2018 first-round draft pick, Josh Rosen, to the Dolphins for a second-round pick. Just last year, three former quarterbacks were traded in the first round. The Jets traded their former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson and a seventh-round pick for a sixth-rounder to the Broncos. Justin Fields, a former first-round pick, was traded by the Bears to the Steelers for a sixth-round pick, which could move up to the fourth round based on playing time. Finally, the Patriots traded former first-round pick Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick.
Impact of Youth Performance on Panthers
The Panthers’ record with Young as their starting quarterback is a disappointing 2-16, marking the worst 18-game start of any quarterback selected with the top pick during the Super Bowl, according to an ESPN survey. The Heisman Trophy winner’s Total QBR this season stands at 9.1, one of the lowest in league history for consecutive games.
Despite the obstacles, Young remains optimistic about his future, acknowledging room for improvement. The struggling quarterback also found support among his teammates, with running back Miles Sanders and veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen expressing confidence in his abilities.
Looking Ahead: Panthers’ Next Move
As the Panthers prepare for their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders with Dalton as their starting quarterback, the question that remains remains: Will they consider trading Bryce Young? Despite coach Canales’ assertion that a trade is not being considered, the NFL continues to speculate. Meanwhile, Young’s teammates stood behind him, anticipating a promising future for the former Alabama star.
